Up with Bengali Patriotism and Down with Bengali Nationalism

April 17, 2010 / by  / 3,055 Comments / Filed under Society and Culture

There is a big difference between nationalism and patriotism. The columnist Sydney Harris says:

Patriotism is proud of a country’s virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country’s virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, “the greatest,” but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.

Nationalists, followers of nationalism, have love for their own country; however, there is hatred toward other nations. Such as the hatred of leaders of India and Pakistan toward each other. Nationalism is what caused the destruction and degradation of Germany as Adolf Hitler’s nationalism led him to put down anyone who did was not German descent or who did not speak German. The favor of Bengali Nationalism will only lead to the backward society of Bangladesh. Nationalists usually refuse change as they want to keep things the way it is and refuse outside influence to come in. Nationalists usually look down and show aggression to people of non-Bengali background. If you know the prophet of Islam (PBUH), he spoke against nationalism as it divides people among themselves. Nationalists are the one’s who are and have slowed down Bangladesh’s progression, as they do not want outside influence.

Patriots, followers of patriotism, are the ones who love and have pride for where they are from. Patriotism does not encourage hatred for other countries or people of other origin. I consider myself to be a patriot as I have love for Bangladesh, since that’s where I’m from, and I encourage diversity among people of different backgrounds to come and live with Bangladeshis.

By looking at the present situation of Bangladesh, only a patriot can alleviate the poor people of Bangladesh. A patriot, with his or her love for Bengal and her people, will feel for the poor. A nationalist will only care about what to show to the world without a care about the people. The poverty rate of Bangladesh is 35% of the population, and it’s better than many other countries, but that 35% is a lot of people out of 150 million.

So at the end of the day, whose influence will you choose? A patriot’s or a nationalist’s?

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